SL1 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Another late-inning collapse dooms Suns

August 31, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release


SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. – Following a two-hour, 32-minute rain delay, the Suns gave up seven runs in the bottom of the eighth inning in an 8-4 loss to the Tennessee Smokies in front of 3,506 fans Sunday at Smokies Park.

For the second time in four games, the Suns led 4-1 entering the eighth inning and lost their advantage. Suns starter Brian Pilkington allowed two hits which closed the gap to 4-2. Reliever Brian Steffek (1-5) earned the loss, allowing five runs, four hits, three walks and one home run: a grand slam to Corey Erickson while retiring one batter. Tarrik Brock came in from left field to pitch to one batter. Using a variety of slow palmballs and one curveball, Brock struck out Kevan Burns looking to end the threat.

The Suns (65-73 overall, 34-35 second half) had the same advantage Thursday at West Tenn but gave up 11 runs in the bottom of the eighth.

Brennan King homered for the third consecutive game, giving the Suns a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Reggie Abercrombie hit a two-run blast, a line drive to left center field in the third which boosted the Suns' lead to 3-0. Nick Theodorou singled home Pilkington in the seventh which gave Jacksonville a 4-1 advantage.

Theodorou and Brock had three hits apiece to lead the Suns.

John Novinsky (2-0) earned the victory in relief for the Smokies (72-66, 37-31). The victory vaulted Tennessee into a first-place tie with Carolina.

Right-hander Elvin Nina (1-0, 3.60 ERA) is scheduled to face Smokies lefty Chris Narveson (4-2, 3.06) at 1 p.m. Monday at Smokies Park. It is the final game of the season for the Suns.

SUNS SPOTS: Suns play-by-play announcer Joe Block will join Smokies radio man Tom Hart in a broadcast from Sluggers' Landing, a left field picnic area at Smokies Park on Monday. The two will exchange play-by-play duties while clad in casual wear underneath large umbrellas. The game will be broadcast on both the Smokies Radio Network throughout Eastern Tennessee and in Jacksonville on WFXJ-AM 930 The Fox. ...RHP Brian Steffek has given up 13 earned runs in his last two outings, which cover two-thirds of an inning. His ERA soared from 4.20 prior to Thursday to 7.92 after Sunday's outing.

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